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Sunday, May 7, 2017

Love Those Who Persecute You

Brothers and sisters, remain steadfast. The truth is we are being persecuted, but rejoice for the persecution brings us closer to Christ. Some of you may not be aware of the true story of Ruby Bridges. During the Integration Period, this six year old child entered a school only for White students. As you can see in the video below, she was yelled at with words as "Go home", "You don't belong here," "We don't want you here," and "no integration." This six year old child faced this kind of persecution with great strength and courage....a strength and courage that can only come from God.

Now, compare the above video to the one below. Yes, these are the very same people who protest in front of the Agana Cathedral every Sunday. Difficult to imagine, I know...but that is the truth. An elderly man steps out of the airport in Guam and listen to what CCOG and LFM are yelling. The words are very similar to the video above: "Go Home," "You don't belong here." "We don't want you here, " and "No neos." Just as Ruby Bridges faced her persecutors quietly without retaliating, so did Mr. Genarinni and his wife. They also did not retaliate against their persecutors. The only response to hatred is love. Love those who persecute you. Retaliation is not the answer. Appeasing hatred is also not the answer. Only love is the answer for God is love. So, brothers and sisters, remain steadfast and strong in your faith. Trust in the Lord our God.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only the Light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.

52 comments:

My objection to the Way is the manner of receiving Hoky Communion. Do you have documentation that supports the manner in which Holy Communion is distributed and then consumed? Please post such documentation, if such exists.Eileen Benavente-Blas

You can object all you want, that still does not change the hate. Now that Archbishop Byrnes have told us to follow the liturgy he wants us to follow, you still ask for documentation. Why? Are you not happy that we are now holding the Eucharistic celebration inside the Church? Are you not happy that we are now consuming the Body of Christ standing up?

We have obeyed the instructions of Archbishop Byrnes. My community now celebrates in the Church at 7:30 pm and we consume the Body of Christ standing, but the attitude of those who oppose us remain unchanged. Only the brothers in the community comes to the NCW celebration in the Church. And we are still hated. We are still called "liars." So, the problem is not the liturgy. The problem is the hatred in their hearts.

Diana it's good to read that you "consume the Body of Christ standing" (instead of sitting) because that's a very good start in following the GIRM.

My question is: Do you consume AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE (which is what the GIRM says is the correct way)? OR do you consume AFTER EVERYONE ELSE HAS RECEIVED (which was another problem we have had with your liturgy)?

It was the way that the NCW made up their own rules about Holy Communion (making it a 2 step process of receiving and consuming) that caused the problem for many of us as far as your liturgy goes.

The only other thing that my family and I didn't like was how the testimonies would interrupt the Mass. Now that those testimonies are no longer being allowed things are much better.

For the record: My family and I don't hate you. We were annoyed and angry that for years we had to sit and listen to the testimonies before we decided in 2014 that we wouldn't sit through anymore tales of adultery/infidelity, sexual addictions/fornication, and alcohol/substance abuse. We walked out and waited until the talk was over so we could come back in when then Mass continued.

There's really nothing to prevent peaceful co-existence in the parishes as long as the NCW follows the GIRM and the members CONSUME THE BODY OF CHRIST AS SOON AS HE IS RECEIVED and we don't have to put up with the testimonies at Mass.

@Anon. 8:44 am, St. Paul gave his testimonial witness that he was a persecutor of Christians. This is the example the Way followed. People in church know came because they saw in our testimonies that it's possible for a cheater and an alcoholic to change. What really bothered you is the truth that you are a sinner too.

As I have been saying. We have always obeyed the Archbishop of Agana. Archbishop Byrnes has given us instructions to consume the Body of Christ standing. We consume His Body after we receive it in our hands. I am sorry that our testimonial witness to Christ's existence and His divine work in our life bothered you.

Acts 26:16 Now get up and stand on your feet. I have apoeared to you to appoint you ad a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.

dear annonymous i would like to tell you that what we did were approved by the pope and even pope francis said it just today when he ordained 10 new priest and 2 of them are from the r.m.s and in his homily the pope said dont be a priest that does boring homilies but fun ones and he even said it in his homily that the good news comes from the preaching not from a alter in the church or the buildings from the walls because like what the pope said last august thats a beaurucratic system if you guys dont want it then its not for you like how we always been trying to tell you we dont force you we dont put a gun to your head the only gun thats to the head is gods love and mercy not his raft and hatred

Dear Diana, you seem to be implying that obedience to the Archbishop's instruction is the start and finish of the whole problem. If you can't see the reason why the Archbishop has issued these instructions in the first place, then you are pretty much beyond hope.

He did so because his vocation is to preserve and to teach the truths of the Catholic Church, the same teachings that the NCW novelties contradict and deny. At least the Archbishop had the courage to say he saw the problem.

That is what you constantly miss - you are blind to it- but until you see the point you will continue to lead people astray.

Dear anonymous @ 3:50pm soo your telling me that the pope is not catholic when he said that faith comes from the preaching and when he told us that it's not about the church walls soo what are you going to say to the pope

So when you said that we contradict the teachings of the church then tell it to pope Francis who said that faith comes from the preaching and he said this let me show an example The Holy Father also broke from the prepared text to say, “Please, I ask you in the name of Christ and of the Church to be merciful, always: do not saddle the faithful with burdens they cannot carry (nor ought you so burden yourselves). Jesus reproved the doctors of the law for this, and called them hypocrites.” And another example Be joyful, never sad,” he said. “With the joy of Christ’s service, even in the midst of suffering, misunderstanding, [even] one’s own sins. Have the example of the Good Shepherd ever before your eyes

Listening to the video Diana posted, nothing in there is said about the liturgy. All they're saying is 'Go home', 'we don't want you here', and 'no neos'. Sounds to me like it's more than just the liturgy. Diana compared CCOG and LFM to another group of protesters back in the civil rights movement. Interesting that the words the protesters used in that era are the same words used by CCOG and LFM. The colors of CCOG and LFM are very revealing.

Let me remind you that it was the jungle who tried to convinced you that there was no canonical trial. The NCW was the one who told everyone that there is a canonical trial. The jungle called the NCW "liars" when we said there is a canonical trial. It was Archbishop Apuron who publicly announced that he asked for a canonical trial to clear his name. That is on record. It is also on record that the jungle called Archbishop Apuron a "liar" in that there is no canonical trial. Archbishop Apuron swore before Pope Francis that he did not molest anyone, and he asked for a canonical trial to clear his name. He believed that there was a conspiracy to remove him as Archbishop.

Diana if Archbishop Apuron had simply stepped down temporarily last May (when Roy Quintanilla accused him) and ordered a local investigation to take place instead of running to the Pope I'm sure none of the others would have dared to come out.

The investigation would find nothing since there was no evidence or witnesses. By leaving Guam he opened the door for the other accusations against him. It gave Tim Rohr and Bob Klitzke the chance to work on the bill to lift the statute of limitations. By leaving Guam and not sending any more video messages to his flock after Archbishop Hon was sent it looked like Apuron was in hiding. He could have contacted one of the stations with an exclusive video message assuring his flock that he is still working on his canonical trial. If he could have arranged a Skype interview with KUAM or PNC or both stations all the blogging would have no effect. Apuron could have maintained his innocence by staying in the public eye because the more people could see and hear him the more they would continue to believe in him.

But instead Apuron is in some secret hideaway. So that makes him look guilty. You've posted about Fr. Gordon MacRae who spent decades in prison maintaining his innocence. Fr. MacRae refused to cut a deal because he believes in his innocence even if he was unjustly accused. Apuron should come out of hiding. He doesn't have to return to the island until after his trial is over. But he has to come into the light and let his flock see and hear him.

People like Archbishop Byrnes. They like his humility and the fact that he is approachable. They like his homilies. There are people who are starting to think that having a "white guy" as Archbishop of Guam isn't such a bad thing after all. Apuron needs to remind his flock that even though he's not on island he's still the real archbishop.

Not everyone likes him because like what pope Francis said he's being a hypocrite just about being a bureaucrat only caring about being in the confines of the church and even the holy father says it's not about the liturgy but leaving the church like what we in the way have always done

I have been away from Guam for several months and have not kept up with the news of the church. I am reassured to know that your group is following the Church's guidelines. I have no problem with it as long as all Church guidelines are followed.I am happy that this has been resolved.It is wrong for people to express hate towards you.Eileen Benavente-Blas

The fact that they continue to hate shows that nothing has been resolved. Archbishop Byrnes' attempt to bring unity failed simply because the liturgy was never the problem. Archbishop Byrnes even hoped that other parishioners would attend the 7:30 pm Eucharist celebration held by the Way in the Church, but that has not happened.

In Agana, the brothers celebrate in the chapel in front of a consecrated altar. In Barrigada, Chalan Pago, Santa Rita, and the rest of the Church that has the NCW, they celebrate inside the Church at 7:30 pm Saturday evening.

Diana, your statutes states in clear term that you receive Eucharist while standing and staying at your place! You must stay where you are and not walk. You cannot walk with the Eucharist in your hand and eating it. At least that is what the Neocatechumenal Statutes states. Why don't you look at that regulation?

What you described is what actually goes on in every parish Mass. People who take the host in their hand, often take a few steps to the side, face the tabernacle, and consume the Body of Christ while bowing to the tabernacle.

Diana, the Statutes of the NCW apply for the NCW masses only. Right? I am taking about the NCW Statutes that has this regulation. I am not talking about the regular parish mass when we receive a wafer that does not need to be chewed. A wafer is easily swallowed without biting on it. Please, comment on this regulation you have in the NCW!

The little girl and Mr. Genarinni is an example of true Christianity. I'm ashamed of the uncharitable behavior of CCOG and LFM. Their behavior is not Christian and goes against the Hafa Adai spirit Guam is well known for.

In yesterday's readings at Mass, Peter addressed those who had crucified Jesus. Peter, with his preaching, cut to the heart of his listeners (Acts: 2). In response, the sinners asked, "What must we do, brothers?" EVEN THOSE SINNERS who had cut short the earthly life of the Messiah, and were in turn cut to the heart by Peter's words, could utter the word "BROTHERS." When will all Catholics on Guam be cut to the heart so as to do the same?

Diana, you are welcome coming back to the church! I have always invited your group back to the parishes. Are you really back? Are really one of us now? It is time that the NCW makes good on the opportunity. Please, be fully integrated back to the work and faith life of the parish.

Dear Diana, you may have never left, but your group did. You are not the same as your group and your group is not the same as you. I am talking about your group. No place like home and the home of the Catholic is in the Catholic church! It is commendable if you read the Sunday reading in your Sunday parish mass or whatever you do.

But do people know that you are a "neo"? What I see is that a "neo" has two faces, one for the parishioners and one for the other neos. They hide your attachment to your group. Why? Are you not proud of being a "neo"?

Two things I hear that come up at conversations and I would like to ask you. One is that neos talk loud in the church, even during mass. Is this true? Why don't you tell your fellows to talk whispering only, as other people do in the church? Nobody should talk loud in the church except the priest.

The other one is the dancing. What do you celebrate when you dance in the church? People usually don't attend a church to dance. So why do you do that? Chuck says in the other blog that you celebrate the death of Jesus. Is this true? I read a speech of Kiko in an Italian blog saying all Catholics go to heaven because He died! This He is supposed to be Jesus. "Take me to heaven because He died" he says. I don't understand this. You cannot make a claim on Jesus' death! Is this the reason you celebrate His death when you dance in the church?

1) We do not talk loudly or even whisper. You may find whispering acceptable, but we do not. We participate in the Mass and our focus is always on God. In fact, we are so focused on God that we cannot hear YOU whisper to other people during Mass.

2) We do not dance during Mass. We dance AFTER Mass. We celebrate because He conquered death for us so that we have the opportunity to go to Heaven. It was His death and resurrection that opened the gates of Heaven to mankind. Before that, everyone went to the land of the dead.

Yes, you call it echos. I call it disruption. You talk loud during mass, after the readings from the Bible. Please, publish because it is true! Very irreverent. Please, answer this, because this is what we are talking about, your echo.

First thank you a lot for having this blog, i think the NCW need more online presence and this is a good one, many other blogs out there are making people to roll back or not believe in the NCW; like sometimes happen with me even ;(, but now due some moments and circumstances in my life, i reach this post and help in my actual persecution, but is nothing compared to the situation in Guam, by the way and sorry i did not even know about Guam before and now i am intrigued of what is happening.